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Date: April 17, 2013
Time: 12:35 PM to
3:20 PM
Hugger Elementary
School
Tamara Brewers 2nd
Grade Classroom

Educational Psychology Field

Experience
EDU 2243
Standard 3: Learning Environments
The teacher works with others to create
environments that support individual
and collaborative learning, and that
encourage positive social interaction,
active engagement in learning, and
self motivation.

Narrative: Every Wednesday around 12:50,

Reflection: I have really enjoyed observing

the students from all the second grade

classes at Hugger Elementary combine
together into two classrooms. Mrs. Brewer
allows her students pick which classroom
they would like to go in; if they are sitting
quietly, she calls on them and they go into
the classroom next door. The students from
the other class will come into Mrs. Brewers
class and wait for instructions. There are four
centers for students to choose from, again, if
they are sitting quietly, they will be chosen
first to go to the center they wish to work on
for that period of time. Students can pick to
do reading, writing, art, or go on the
computers to do an activity. There are
usually 8 students to a station, sometimes
more depending on what the students have
left to do. The student will place the initial of
the day they went to a particular station on
a clipboard near the station. Students have
about 20 minutes to work at that station and
complete the assigned activity; after the 20
minutes, students switch classrooms. Centers
happen over a three-day period so students
will be able to complete all of the stations.
Mrs. Brewer, other parent volunteers, and I
walk around the classroom assisting children
when they need it.

how Mrs. Brewer and the other second grade

teachers run their classrooms. Centers is one of
the activities that has definitely made an
impression in my mind. Students take initiative
for themselves by choosing a center. They have
to remain conscious of which centers they
need to go to and complete their work on time.
Since there are 8 students to a station, student
are able to collaborate with one another if they
need help and can ask the teacher or parent
volunteers in the classroom for assistance.
Although having 40 or more students in a
classroom at one time can be hectic, the
students know what is expected of them and
the teachers maintain control of the classroom
with cues when they get out of hand. Centers
creates a positive learning environment and
stimulates motivation because the students can
decide on their own what they would like to do
and take responsibility for their own actions. This
responsibility, even in a second grade
classroom, helps them to become independent
learners and creates a sense of engagement in
what they are doing. Working in groups can
sometimes be distracting, but especially at the
writing station, the students brainstorm ideas
with one another and work hard to complete
their assignment.